Third Place!

The Grand Martial Arts Arena was laid out with thirty rows of iron stakes—or rather, thirty rings.

There were a full sixty columns of iron stakes, distributed in a circle around the Iron-Scaled Python Demon at the center.

This arrangement ensured that no matter which starting point the disciples set out from, they would all take the same amount of time to reach the Iron-Scaled Python Demon at the core.

At this moment, aside from a few disciples sharing a starting point in pairs, most occupied a column by themselves.

"Now, the trial begins!"

The moment Wei Jinlin's words fell from the platform, all the disciples set off at once.

Buzz—

More than sixty disciples struck the first iron stake almost simultaneously. The resonating sound burst forth and echoed above the Grand Martial Arts Arena.

It was like a warning bell being rung, instantly putting everyone into the zone.

They surged forward in a scramble, plunging deeper into the Iron Stake Area!

Godly Movement!

This time, Lu Ming did not hesitate. He used the Godly Movement Divine Ability from the very start.

In an instant, momentum accumulated within him, rising without end!

He seemed to ride upon a gust of wind, advancing effortlessly into the depths of the Iron Stake Area. Each iron stake he passed was struck with a light palm, sending out a resonant clang.

Mountain-Pushing!

He barely used any of his own strength. Merely relying on the "about to push, yet not pushing" realm of the Mountain-Pushing Divine Ability, he rang the iron stakes.

Using those two divine abilities, he continued deeper into the Iron Stake Area. More and more people fell behind him—some unable to withstand the pressure, others unable to ring the iron stakes, withdrawing in dejection.

His gaze flickered as he casually observed the way ahead. Beyond the sixteenth stake, nearly all of them were Flesh Refining martial artists!

After this period of training in the Iron Stake Area, the number of Flesh Refining martial artists had risen from sixteen to a full twenty-two.

Moreover, Chen Feng, Feng Qingzhu, Zhao Zhiqiu, and several others had reached Major Completion in Flesh Refining. Those few were far ahead, each having passed the twentieth stake.

Chen Feng in particular left everyone in the dust, reaching the twenty-third stake!

Without a sound, Lu Ming arrived at the twentieth stake. Only then did he feel a trace of pressure, and he immediately began assessing the situation.

With his current strength, he felt that surpassing Chen Feng would not be difficult.

Relying on the Godly Movement and Mountain-Pushing Divine Abilities, the level he could reach in the Iron Stake Area had likely already made him the strongest of all the disciples.

However, he did not want to display such strength. Being too shocking was no good thing; the tree that rose above the forest would be battered by the wind.

Chen Feng was a genius of the Chen Family. He had shown talent before, so it was perfectly reasonable for him to take first place. But if Lu Ming took first, it would easily invite speculation.

Besides, the top three could all receive a Red Token regardless of their order. Why fight for first and expose his strength for no reason?

Thus, he did not go all out for now. He would first see everyone's limits, then choose the third-place position.

"This is too difficult. Everyone still holding on now is already in Flesh Refining."

Outside the Iron Stake Area, around forty disciples had already been forced to withdraw. Their faces were either unwilling or dejected as they watched those still pressing onward and discussed the competition animatedly.

Among the crowd, Chen Jinyang saw Chen Feng far in the lead, certain to take first place, and immediately laughed.

"Zhao Zhiqiu and Feng Qingzhu both fall short of my fifth brother. It seems my Chen Family truly shows signs of great prosperity this year.

"If my fifth brother can take first in the Grand Examination, he may very well join a Ranked Sect and ascend to heaven in a single step!"

After so many days, Chen Jinyang had basically accepted his fate and vaguely entertained the thought of supporting Chen Feng.

Although he had advanced to Flesh Refining, he still found himself running out of steam at the twentieth stake and was forced to leave the Iron Stake Area.

He knew that his potential ended here. Only by placing his bet on Chen Feng could he go farther!

Now, seeing Chen Feng leave everyone in the dust, he felt delighted, certain that he had chosen correctly.

Zhu Ming and Wu San stood beside Chen Jinyang.

After Shen Jue's death, Wu San had wanted to latch onto Chen Jinyang and often hovered around him.

However, Chen Jinyang found Wu San's aptitude somewhat lacking and had yet to agree to support him.

At that moment, Wu San suddenly cried out in alarm, "That's Lu Ming? Why is he still in there? And he's already standing firm at the twenty-second stake! That's already top-ten level!"

Chen Jinyang snapped, "Wu San, stay farther away. Stop making such a fuss beside me."

Wu San gave an awkward laugh. "Yes, yes."

He turned around, lightly clenched his fists, and walked to the side.

Watching Lu Ming continue deeper, a trace of fear slowly surfaced in his eyes.

Previously, under Shen Jue's orders, he had obstructed Lu Ming and intended to take him to see Wei Jinlin.

But now, Lu Ming seemed to have broken through to Flesh Refining. Moreover, he was performing so brilliantly in the Iron Stake Area, with a bright future ahead of him!

If Lu Ming truly rose to prominence, what would Wu San do?

"Lu Ming actually really broke through to Flesh Refining!"

After driving Wu San away, Chen Jinyang's gaze swept over Lu Ming, and he could not help being startled as well.

He turned to look at Zhu Ming. Zhu Ming and Wu San had only reached the Nine Breaks in One Breath, Skin Refining Major Completion realm some time ago and entered the Grand Martial Arts Arena.

Zhu Ming had done so nearly ten days earlier than Wu San, so his talent was considered much better.

Originally, Chen Jinyang had been smug, thinking that his eye for talent was better than Shen Jue's and that he had taken in a decent thug.

But now, Lu Ming had actually broken through to Flesh Refining earlier than Zhu Ming.

In today's trial, both Chen Jinyang and Zhu Ming had been eliminated early, while Lu Ming had entered the top ten. His ranking was even continuing to climb as he surpassed one Flesh Refining martial artist after another!

Chen Jinyang stood stunned for a long while. Suddenly, he understood the regret Shen Jue had once felt.

He recalled that an opportunity to recruit Lu Ming had once been placed right before him, yet he had said Lu Ming's aptitude was far inferior to Zhu Ming's and had looked down on him completely.

At this moment, his eyes stared blankly into the depths of the Iron Stake Area. There, Lu Ming had officially entered the top five.

Only Chen Feng, Feng Qingzhu, Liu Yiyi, and Zhao Zhiqiu remained ahead of him.

Lu Ming had actually drawn close to these martial arts geniuses? What gave him the right?

A thick tide of jealousy surged within Chen Jinyang.

If looks could stop someone, Lu Ming would already have been blasted out of the Iron Stake Area.

Yet Lu Ming not only did not retreat, but advanced instead, and even seemed to be getting faster and faster!

"What is this?!"

At the twenty-third stake, everyone was nearing the Iron-Scaled Python Demon at the core, and they were not far apart from one another.

Zhao Zhiqiu was the direct heir of the Zhao Family in this generation, refined and graceful in bearing. He was slowly shifting between the iron stakes. At this point, every step had to be taken with extreme care, or the pressure might force him back.

Yet just then, he saw someone stride forward, easily overtake him, and directly reach the twenty-fourth stake.

His pupils suddenly contracted. Looking at that unfamiliar face, he felt puzzled. This person seemed to be Lu Ming, the one who had offended Shen Changfeng?

Back when Lu Ming trained, Zhao Zhiqiu had no idea how far behind he had left him. Who would have thought Lu Ming had been hiding his strength all along, only to make a stunning debut today!

"Interesting!" After his surprise passed, Zhao Zhiqiu suddenly chuckled and stopped walking.

Originally, he had a chance to compete with Liu Yiyi for third place. But now, it seemed neither Liu Yiyi nor he had any chance.

He glanced at Liu Yiyi, who stood at the twenty-fourth stake and could not move forward for a long time. Shaking his head slightly, he slowly retreated.

"Lu Ming?!" At the nearby twenty-fourth stake, Liu Yiyi stood with her long legs and flower-like beauty, struggling to resist the pressure of the Iron-Scaled Python Demon.

Sensing someone catch up, she turned and saw Lu Ming, immediately crying out in astonishment.

"When did you break through?!" Feeling that Lu Ming's aura had reached Flesh Refining, and that he was still at ease at the twenty-fourth stake, Liu Yiyi's expression changed.

Thanks to practicing leg techniques, her lower body was steady, giving her a slight advantage in the Iron Stake Area. Earlier, with her Flesh Refining cultivation, she had surpassed Zhao Zhiqiu, who was at Flesh Refining Major Completion, and taken third place.

Originally, she had secretly been pleased with herself. As long as she held steady, she could obtain a Red Token.

Who would have expected Lu Ming to suddenly emerge out of nowhere!

Seeing Lu Ming glance at her and prepare to continue forward without a word, Liu Yiyi inwardly cried out in alarm. If Lu Ming surpassed her, she would become fourth place, and the Red Token would be handed over on a silver platter.

Her cultivation talent was actually average. Without Demon Meat, she would likely only barely break through to Flesh Refining Major Completion before the Grand Examination. In that case, entering a Third-Rate Sect would be difficult.

She immediately said, "Junior Brother Lu, I desperately need Demon Meat. Could you stop here?"